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Nearly 150 years ago a masonry arch dam wall was built across Hunts
Creek in North Parramatta to form what is known today as Lake Parramatta.
Lake Parramatta was built to supply fresh water to the Parramatta
area. It served this purpose until 1909 when fresh water was for
sourced from the Nepean River dams.
Since then Lake Parramatta and the surrounding bushland has been
preserved for the locals as a recreational area.
Dr Stephen Lees, Executive Officer Upper Parramatta River Catchment
Trust said, "The dam wall is great engineering importance.
In 1997 it was listed as a national Engineering Landmark. The dam
is recognised as the first large dam, and the only masonry arch
dam, constructed in Australia'.
The wall was designed by a Percy Simpson. It is only the eleventh
of its type in the world, and only the twelfth to be built to engineering
designs.
Parramatta City Council has recently built a new toilet block and
has finished the replanting works surrounding the newly developed
wetland.
To find out more about the Lake's history and see the dam wall,
come along to the 6th Annual Lake Parramatta Sustainable Living
Festival from 10.30am - 3.30pm on Sunday 14 March 2004.
Bring a picnic and get involved in the free activities, enjoy the
jumping castle and merry-go-round, native animal shows, stormwater
games and bushwalks.
For more information please contact the Upper Parramatta River
Catchment Trust on 9891 4633 or visit the website www.uprct.nsw.gov.au.
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